If you have more questions about the permits, call DOT at 718-433-3100 or TTY 212-504-4115 during business hours. For more City services for people with disabilities, visit the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.

New York State Permits

You are eligible to be issued a New York State disability parking permit hangtag for the disabled if you are a New York City resident and have a severe, permanent or temporary, qualifying mobility impairment as certified by a New York State-licensed physician or podiatrist. You do not have to be a driver or registered owner of a vehicle to get a permit. Disabled children and legally blind persons are eligible for permits.

According to the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 404A, to be eligible for the State Permit you must:

have limited or no use of one or both legs;

have a neuro-muscular dysfunction which severely limits mobility;

have another physical or mental disability which makes the use of public transportation difficult; or

be legally blind.

Your physician must state whether the condition is permanent or temporary in nature and describe how severely and regularly the condition affects your ability to walk.

Using the State Permit

The state permit is a blue plastic hangtag displaying the universal International Symbol of Access for people with disabilities. Hang it from the inside rearview mirror of your vehicle. (Temporary permits are red plastic hangtags.)

The permit is valid everywhere in New York State where there are designated parking spaces for people with disabilities. In New York City, these spaces are all off-street, such as in parking lots for malls, office buildings or college campuses. It is also valid in all other states and Canadian provinces. No copies are allowed. The permit may be used only when the permit-holder is traveling in the vehicle. However, its use never allows you to disobey state or local parking regulations. Any person who has been issued a disability parking permit, who abuses any privilege, benefit, precedence or consideration arising from possession of the permit, may have it revoked.

The State permit is valid until the expiration date printed on the permit.

New York City Permits

The New York City permit is a placard that can have several license plates associated with it. The permit holder must move the permit to whichever vehicle he or she is using at the time. No copies are allowed. Both city residents and non-City residents are eligible for a New York City permit.

To be eligible to receive a City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities, the following requirements must be met:

You must require the use of a private vehicle for transportation.

You must have a severe, permanent disability that impairs mobility as certified by your personal physician and a New York City physician designated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

Using the City Permit

The city permit is a rectangular placard. Display it in full view on the driver’s side dashboard.

Unlike the state permit, your City permit entitles drivers to park only in New York City.

The City permit allows the driver to park at most curbsides on city streets including in all ���No Parking��� zones (except those marked as taxi stands); in ���No Parking���, ���No Standing��� or ���Authorized Vehicles Only��� spaces authorized for doctors, press, diplomats and government agencies; at metered parking without paying; in ���No Standing, Trucks Loading and Unloading��� or ���Truck Loading Only��� zones except for specified restricted hours.

The City permit cannot be used in any "No Stopping" zones; in any "No Standing" zones other than those listed above; in front of fire hydrants, at bus stops or in crosswalks. Double parking is never permitted.

The City permit is valid until the expiration date printed on the permit. Approximately six weeks before the scheduled expiration date, you will be asked if you wish to renew and to verify that your information of record is still correct. Your permit will be renewed upon request unless your condition requires a medical re-examination.

Applying for the City Permit

When applying, you must provide any supporting medical documentation or reports as specified in the application, a valid copy of your Driver's License or a Non-Driver's Identification card. You must also include copies of all vehicle registrations. They must be current and valid. DOT will not accept any plate number in judgment with the NYC Department of Finance.

When DOT receives your signed application, it will be reviewed for completeness. Incomplete applications will be returned to you with a letter requesting the missing information. Complete applications will be forwarded within ten working days to the DOHMH.

A review of the application and documentation will be performed by DOHMH and if needed, DOHMH staff will contact you to schedule an In-Person Medical Evaluation appointment. If you are unable to make your scheduled appointment, you must call DOHMH to cancel and reschedule no later than 48 hours before your appointment.

If your application is approved by the designated DOHMH Physician, DOT will issue you one permit with specified plates printed on it. If your application is denied, DOT will send you a denial-of-certification letter, which shall include a description of the appeal process.

Using the Permits with Multiple Vehicles

When applying for or renewing a permit, you may submit copies of the registrations for up to ten vehicles in which the permit will be valid. If your permit lists 3 or fewer vehicles, and it becomes necessary to change one of the primarily used listed vehicles, call 718 433-3100 to report the change. You must provide the temporary vehicle���s plate number, owner���s name, state of registration, year, make and color, a temporary change is valid from one(1) to for up to fourteen(14) days. Temporary Vehicle changes are not valid for company vehicles, taxi, dealer plates or plates in judgment.

If you need to temporarily use a different vehicle and that plate is not listed on the permit, (for permits which list three or less vehicles only), fill out and send in the Temporary Vehicle Change form (pdf).

Missing, Lost or Stolen Permits

If your permit is lost or stolen, you must:

Report the loss or theft of the permit at the precinct nearest to the location where the incident occurred

Obtain a police incident slip/report indicating the lost/stolen permit along with the complaint number